I decided to buy and modify a Woodpecker table instead of making one. It's way nicer and accurate than anything you can make yourself, but the cost is idiotic. That's just how I roll, lol.
Eventually, this will be installed into a larger surface for cutting full sheet goods, but not before I rebuild the garage aka win a lottery. I didn't want a small surface, even tho mine is now a table top sitting on a 1" thick MDF plate on top of my industrial parts washer. Dust collection is threefold - above the table hood, fence mount and enclosed router box I made; all with blast gates to control air flow; my experience is they should all be open slightly to promote air flow, since the 2.5" piping is so restrictive. Also added a HF variable speed control for $20.
Being new to woodworking, I have spent a lot of time in the various stores, online and this forum, snooping around and getting the drift/hang of things. The various attachments, jigs and methodology is so wide ranging, that most things can be done several different ways with equally good results.
I will say, several used very nice Jessem and Kreg packages have appeared on Kijiji (Canada's Craigs List) here in Ontario for about half price from new. Few and far between, and you gotta have cash and jump on it.
Having used my table only a couple of times is a shame, but I can tell you it's a precision work of art and ought to last me a lifetime.